Kindergarten Registration

The ECCS works closely with Southington parents and the local schools to make the kindergarten registration process as seamless as possible.

Under CT State Law, children must be age 5 by December 31 to attend public school that year, and thus could start as early as 4 years and 9 months old. Unsure when to register your child for preschool or kindergarten? Check out this When to Start chart by birth year.

Southington Public Schools

Here is the typical kindergarten registration timeline for the Southington Public School (SPS) system:

October – the ECCS hosts an annual Kindergarten Readiness workshop series for parents of 3 and 4 year olds. This three-night series covers math skills, literacy and kindergarten preparedness. Here are the presentations from 2018.January – Kindergarten Registration Information Session for all parents of students who will start in the fall hosted by the Southington Public Schools, regardless of which school they will attend. For the 2019-2020 school year, this session will be held on January 29, 2019 from 6:30 to 7:30 at DePaolo Middle School Auditorium. The snow date is Wednesday, January 30.February – Online registration opens. For the 2019-2020 school year, it will open on February 25, 2019.March – Schools host their own registration session where required residency and other documents are brought in to complete the registration process and the child meets with several staff members.May – Kindergarten orientation scheduled by each school, including a bus orientation for the student.Late August – A letter is sent home to announce the Kindergarten teacher and classroom. Teachers may schedule an open house or tour a day or two before schools starts. The bus schedule is published in the local newspapers and on the SPS website one week prior to the start of classes.First day of school – Kindergarten students must be brought in by parents, no bus transportation. Don’t forget to take the first day of school photo in front of the school sign.

Parochial Schools

The parochial schools in town – Central Christian Academy and Southington Catholic – have their own registration process.

Southington Catholic School is accepts applications for their full day kindergarten program. Young students can be bussed right from their Southington home to the school’s front door at 133 Bristol Street. After school care is available on site for busy, working parents. Parents are invited to come visit and explore the benefits of small class size. For more information, please call 860-628-2485.

Central Christian Academy, at 1505 West Street in Southington can be reached at 860-621-6701.

Extended Preschool Options

A few of the preschool providers also offer programs for children who meet the State age eligibility requirements but are not developmentally ready to attend kindergarten. See their listings under Preschool Options.

Choice and Magnet Schools

The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) coordinates the Open Choice and Magnet School programs. Southington children can attend a Hartford district school through the Open Choice program or apply to the lottery to attend a magnet school with a specialized educational theme. There are over 40 schools in the program across the Hartford region serving Pre-K 3 to grade 12.
The RSCO lottery “On-time” application period runs from November until February and late applications are accepted into the summer. The lottery runs in May.

Make a Donation

Much of the work of the ECCS can only be accomplished with funding from our community partners and members. To support our work and continue to improve the lives of young children, consider making a donation.

Resources Directory

Looking for childcare, pre-schools, healthcare providers, summer programs, enrichment activities, outdoor play spaces and things to do with your children? The Town Resources section lists all of this and more.

School Readiness

All the pre-schools in town are accepting registrations for the fall of 2019. Online registration for Kindergarten in the Southington School system opens on 2/25/2019. Learn more about preparing for school.